Ashley used to say that she wasn't good at anything. She gets good grades, but has to work harder for them. She has a nice voice for singing, but it's not real powerful, and seems to have to work harder for that too. She basically lacked confidence in herself and her abilities. Along came the dance team 2 yrs ago. She said she was trying out for it. Both girls took dance lessons when younger, but that's when they were only 4 & 5 yrs old. They haven't danced since then, except for in their bedrooms, which most young girls do. I was so nervous for her. We encouraged her to go for it, but also prepared ourselves to pick up the pieces of her broken heart if she didn't make the team.
Imagine our surprise when she not only made the team, but she made the competitive team, which is reserved for the upper level, more advanced dancers. Jay and I looked at each other like "huh? Ashley? Upper level?" LOL We honestly had our doubts as to how good she could actually be due to her lack of training. She was the only new girl on the state team last year. Everyone else was returning, so that made us extra nervous for her. If the team didn't do as well, would she blame herself? When we watched her for the first time down at the state championships, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I cried and cried with pride for my little girl who was amazing to watch. Where did this gift come from? Where did she get this amazing talent and ability? Of course we know where it came from, but it still just didn't seem possible. I couldn't wait to hug her and tell her how proud I was of her. After their next dance, which brought more tears to me again and trophies were handed out and the celebration was over and everyone was home I gave her a hug good-nite and I said to her: I have always said that everyone has at least one talent, one gift and I believe you have found yours. Don't ever doubt yourself or your abilities ever again ok? She smiled and nodded.
Since that time a confidence and maturity has come to her. She has tried things she's never tried before and is succeeding. All from dancing and loving it. She is even trying out in April for the dance team at her college of choice. God willing she will make it on the team and she'll continue to dance to her hearts content.
This year Chelsea decided to try out. She has always had more confidence in herself and she's a very determined girl. If there's something she wants, she will move mountains to get it, so it wasn't a big surprise to me that she made the team and the competitive team. What has surprised me is her lack of shyness. She is talented in many ways and she knows it, but she has always been shy about sharing those talents. So when she said she was trying out for the dance team I said "You do understand that you will be dancing in front of people...in form fitting costumes, and you'll have to smile. Right?" She laughed and said "yes mom." She looks like she's done this forever. Smiles like a pro. You'd never know that inside her stomach is in knots (although as her mom, I can tell). She is having a ball and loving every minute of it!
On Monday they did a hip-hop routine and it was fun to watch. Here's a picture of each of them dancing. It makes me sad that they perform tomorrow night again and then there is only the night of dance when they perform all their dances one more time and then it's over. I'll never get to watch them dance like this again. Thank God for the memories we'll always have.
This is Ashley 
And then of course, this is Chelsea. Are they the cutest or what? LOL
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